Process of metallizing fine ore concentrates



Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,454

D. M. CRIST PROCESS OF METALLIZING FINE ORE CONCENTRATES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 26, 1924 JAR EN TUB.

I. M EH15 T Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,454

D. M. CRIST PROCESS OF METALLIZING FINE ORE CONCENTRATES Filed Dec. 26, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUH .UM EH15 T -ATTYE ?atented Aug. 10, 1926.

UNITED STATES DONALD M. CRIST, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB TO TRIUMP H STEEL 00., 0F RENO, NEVADA, A CORPORATION OF NEVADA.

PROCESS OF METALLIZING- FINE ORE GONCENTBA'IES.

Application filed December 26, 1924. Serial No. 758,017.

The present invention relates to the art of reducing fine ore concentrates and resides in the rovision of a process and an apparatus .by means of which fine ore concentrates may be more rapidly, thoroughly and economically reduced than is possible under other methods and with other apparatus, and also without necessitating briquetting of the ore.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive apparatus for carrying out this invention, which apparatus may be operated efiicaciously and at a low cost.

A further object of the invention is to pro-' vide for treatment of fine ore concentrates so as to bring about a rapid and thorough reduction without melting the ores.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the use of gases generated in the treatment of the ores under this invention, for heating ores or operating apparatus with which the process or method is carried out.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal sectional View taken through apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 represents a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view being shown partly in elevation of a modified form of the apparatus constructed in a cordance with the invention. X

Fig.4 represents a 5 line 44 of Fig. 3.

In carrying out the process of this invention, ore to be treated is passed through a zone heated to disassociation temperature for the particular ore, and is subjected to this heat for a period of time suflicient to thoroughly break down the ore without fusion, the said zone being shut off from communication with atmospheric air. This ctional view taken on treatment of ore will bring about a rapid, thorough reduction. In the treatment of certain ore a catalyzing or reducing agent is introduced into -the heated zone to carry away the volatiles liberated in the treatment. This agent is preferably of a carbonaceous nature and will produce a gas which may be burned in the fire-box to heat the zone or otherwise utilized to produce power for the operation of the apparatus of the invention.

Referring to theembodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings (Figs. 1 and 2), the apparatus with which the process of the invention is carried out comprises a suitable furnace generally designated 1, having the usual fire-box 2, provided at one end with an outlet flue 3, and at its other end with an ore discharge passage 4, which latter is arranged to dischargeore into a water jacketed hopper 5 having a closure valve 6 at its lower end, which valve is operated by a suitable gear 7 Adjacent one end of the furnace supported in suitable frame work 8, is a hopper 9 for containing ore to be treated. The ore is arranged to pass through a heated zone extending through the furnace, which zone is in communication with the passage 4 so as to discharge the reduced ore into the hopper 5. This zone is provided in the form of a revolvable cylinder 10 mounted on suitable bearings 11 within the furnace and having one end extending into an open end of the passage 4 and provided with a suitably packed gland 12 so as to provide an air the tube extends out through one wall of the furnace and is rotatably coupled by suitable means 13 with a stationary ipe or conduit 14. This pipe 13 extends ownwardly from this connection with the cylinder. and then horizontally to a point where it communicates with the firebox 2 so that gases generated in the treatment of the ores as will be later firebox for consumption to assist in heating the cylinder.

A valved feed chute 15 extends from the hopper 9 into the pipe 14 close to the point where the joint 13 is provided so as to convey ores into the pipe or conduit, and from thence into the cylinder 10. The pipe and cylinder are inclined downwardly from the point where the chute 15 enters the pipe 14 so that the ores will gravitate through the tight seal at this point. The other end of described, will be delivered to the means for introducing a catalyzing or reduc- J ing agent into the lower or discharge end of the cylinder 10. This means comprises a tank or container 19 in which fuel oil, crude oil, or some other carbonaceous fuel, the

present instance of liquid form, will be contained. From the container or hopper 19 a downwardly curved feed pipe 20 extends, said pipe being provided with a control valve 21 near its upper end. This pipe extends through the adjacent-end wall of the furnace and well into the lower end of the cylinder so as to be spaced from the walls of the latter. A water jacket 22 surrounds the pipe so as to keep it cool and may be supplied with water from any suitable source, not shown.

In the operation of the invention fine ore concentrates are fed from the hopper 9 through the discharge chute 15 into the heated zone or in other words, cylinder 10, said cylinder being operated so as to revolve. The, fire-box is provided with a suitable burner, not shown, so as to heat the cylinder sufliciently to produce a suitable ore disassociation temperature interiorly thereof, this temperature varying depending on the ore being treated. The cylinder is rotated at such speed and is at suchan inclination that the ore will be caused to remain in it for a period of time just sufiicient to thoroughly bread it down. The angular ribs extending longitudinally of the cylinder assist in retarding and agitating the ores so as to bring about the desired treatment during the passage of the ores through the cylinder. This treatment is carried out in a zone from which free air is excluded, and the ores break down and are deoxidized without being melted, the reduced ore passlng out of the cylinder through the passage 4 into the water-cooled hopper 5. From this the treated ore may be taken off as desired, upon manipulation of the valve 6.

- In the case ofcertain ores, oil or othercar- .bonaceous material-is fed into the heated cylinder throughthe pipe 20 and acts as a catalyzing or reducing agent to carry off the volatiles liberated during treatment of the ores. .Theflcarbonaceous material thus used .Wlll generate a gas which. will'pass through the p1pe'14 and into the fire-box where it may be ignited for the purpose of assisting in the heating of the cylinder.

In Figs. 3 and 4, the apparatus shown is adapted for the use of carbonaceous material such as coal dust, as a reducing or catalyzing agent, and the cylinder is electrically heated by an element contained in the cylinder. Although a fire-box is not shown in connection with this type of furnace, it is obvious that this might be used instead of the electric heating arrangement.

In this form, the apparatus comprises a cylinder 23, rotatably mounted in position slightly inclined from the horizontal, on suitable supports 24. The upper end of the cylinder is connected by a stufling box or gland, generally designated 25, with a pipe 26, which latter extends to a gas container or bell 26 mounted'on a platform 28. An ore feed hopper 29 is supported on this platform and has a valve discharge chute 30 which extends into the pipe adjacent to the joint 25'. A gear 31 is fixed to the upper end of the cylinder and meshes with a gear 32 mounted on a shaft 33-journaled in the support 24. This shaft is coupled to a shaft 34 driven from a suitable source ofpower and which through a train of gears 35, rotates a feed screw 36 in a feed pipe 37 extending into the lower end of the cylinder. The lower end of the cylinder is mounted in a wall member 38 which is provided with a- 'conduit or discharge 39, into one end of gears operate to rotate the feed screw 36 and for feeding the carbonaceous material through the pipe 37 into the cylinder 23. The passage or conduit 39 discharges into a water-jacketed container or hopper 44 adapted to receive the reduced ores. This hopper or container closesat its lower end by a valve 45 and an operating means 46. The cylinder 23 is of special construction to adapt it for being heated by electricity. In-

teriorly of the cylinder is a lining of refractory material 47 having .a suitable heating element 48 embedded therein. 7, protects the cylinder from being burned out by the heating element, causes the interior of the cylinder to be thoroughly heated to the temperature necessary to carry out the treatment of this invention. The terminals of the heating element are electrically connected with contact rings 49 on the exterior This lining ture in said zone of the casing adjacent the lower end thereof. These rings are engaged by brushes 50 which are connected with a source of electrical energy by conductors 51, said brushes being supported by a bracket 52 carried by the wall 38.

The operation of this form of the invention is the same as in the preferred form except that gases generated are carried ofi through the pipe 26 into bell or container 27 and this stored up gas may be used for the purpose of generating power, for operating the machinery of the apparatus.

I claim:

1. The process of reducing ore which consists in continuously passing ore to be treated through a zone heated to a' disassociation temperature, causing said ore to remain at said temperature in said zone for a sufficient period of time to thoroughl break down the ore then continuously ta ing 03 the ore from said heated zone.

2. The process of reducing ore which .consists in continuously-passing ore to be treated through a zone heated to a disassociation temperature, causing said ore to remain at said temperature in said zone for a suflicient period of time to thoroughly break down the ore, then taking off the ore from said heated zone and continuously introducing, during the treatment of the ore in said zone, a carbonaceous material.

3. The process of reducing ore which consists in passing ore to be treated through a zone heated to a disassociation temperature, causing said ore to remain at said temperafor asufiicient period of time to thoroughly break down the ore, then taking ofl the ore from said heated zone and introducing, during the treatment of the ore in said zone, a carbonaceous material and taking off the gases generated in the treatment of the ore.

4. The process of metallizing ore which consists in passing ore to be treated through a zone heated to a disassociation temperature, causing the ore to continuously pass through said zone, introducing carbonaceous matter into the zone and taking off gases generated in the treatment and igniting said gases to heat said zone.

5. The process of metallizing ore which consists in continuously passing ore to be treated through a zone heated to a disassociation temperature and from which zone atmospheric air is excluded causing said ore to remain in said zone for sufficient time to cause the ore to break down without melting and without arresting the progress of the ore through said zone, and continuously taking off the ore from said zone.

6. The process of metallizing ore which consists in causing ore to be continuously fed into and continuously moved through a zone heated to a disassociation temperature for the particular ore, from which zone atmospheric air is excluded and in which zone said ore remains for suificient time to cause the ore to break down without melting, then introducing carbonaceous material into the zone and continuously taking ofi ore from said zone.

DONALD M. GRIST. 

